QB's arrest latest black eye for USM

Dec. 1, 2012

The hits just keep on coming for the University of Southern Mississippi’s football program.

On Nov. 24, Southern Miss finished its worst season in school history.

On Tuesday, first-year head coach Ellis Johnson was fired.

On Wednesday, freshman quarterback Anthony Alford was arrested.

Alford, 18, a former football and baseball standout at Petal, was arrested for his alleged involvement in an on-campus altercation involving guns.

He was charged with conspiracy to possess a firearm on campus and hindering prosecution.

Three other students also have been charged in connection with the incident: Korey Hathorn, 21, of Sumrall, possession of weapon on school property; Bradford Drummond, 19, of Sumrall, hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence; and Curtis Williams, 19, of Moss Point, hindering prosecution, tampering with evidence and possession of a weapon on school property.

Officials say they still are looking for two more suspects.

This isn’t the first time a Golden Eagle football player has found himself on the wrong side of the law.

DeAndre Brown was arrested July 9, 2010, for disorderly conduct along with teammates Johdrick Morris and Martez Smith for failing to comply with an officer’s attempt to disperse a large crowd at a pool party.

On the night of Feb. 22, 2009, running back Damion Fletcher was arrested at the players’ apartment complex for discharging a firearm within the city limits.

These are just two examples.

What is particularly disturbing about the latest arrest is that the incident involved guns.

It has been just more than two years since three Southern Miss football players were shot outside Remington’s Hunt Club, including Smith who was left paralyzed from the shooting.

Comments about a woman started the fight that quickly escalated, according to court testimony.

No details have been released about what might have started Wednesday’s incident — in which, thankfully, no one was injured.